Page 102 of Road Trip with a Vampire

“But the fact that you’re even talking about it…” I trailed off, my surprise overwhelming my ability to form words.

“I know.” He chuckled. “Who would’ve thought?”

“Happiness looks good on you,” I said. “Really good.”

“Thank you.” Another long pause. “I hope you get there, too, one day.”

I had to swallow around the lump in my throat. I had thought maybe I was finding my way there with Peter. But now…

“So do I,” I managed.

After another few minutes of pleasantries and a promise from him to come visit me in California after this whole mess was over, we hung up.

Then I switched to Peter’s texts and reread them.

Peter:Can you call me? I can explain everything.

Peter:But I also understand if you never want to see me again.

Now that I’d had my talk with Reggie, I felt ready to face this.

Almost.

Might as well get it over with either way.

Zelda:Actually, I never want to see OR talk to you again

Peter:I’m so sorry.

Peter:It’s not what it looks like, I swear.

Zelda:That’s exactly what somebody who spent the past few weeks luring me into a false sense of security on behalf of his evil vampire overlords would say

Peter:Evil vampire overlords?

Peter:You mean The Collective?

Peter:They’re not overlords of anything. They’re dumb as a bag of hammers.

Zelda:I know

Zelda:I was being facetious

Peter:Ah. Right.

Peter:Listen, Zelda. If you could give me just a few minutes of your time I can explain everything.

Peter:But I understand if you don’t want to do that.

I hesitated. Most of me never wanted to see Peter again. The rest of me…did. I told myself it was because he likely had my car. But I’d always been a terrible liar when I was lying to myself.

Zelda:Do you have my car?

Peter:What?

Peter:Oh. Yes. I do.

Peter:I drove it away from the warehouse after I incapacitated the other vampires.